God in Abrahamic religions: Difference between revisions
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In Judaism, Islam and Christianity, God is understood to be a [[personal god]], with a will and personality. |
In Judaism, Islam and Christianity, God is understood to be a [[personal god]], with a will and personality. |
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==Judaism== |
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{{Main|God in |
{{Main|God in Judaism}} |
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| ⚫ | [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'ís]] believe in a [[Monotheism|single]], imperishable [[Deity|god]], the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe.<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia | year = 1988 | title = The Bahá'í Faith | encyclopedia = Britannica Book of the Year | publisher = Encyclopaedia Britannica | location = Chicago | id = ISBN 0852294867}}</ref> God is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, [[omniscience|omniscient]], [[omnipresence|omnipresent]] and [[omnipotence|almighty]]." <ref>{{cite book|first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink=Shoghi Effendi |year=1944 |title=God Passes By |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |
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| ⚫ | |isbn=0877430209 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-9.html#gr26 | page= 139}}</ref> Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of the events in this world, with a mind, will and purpose. Bahá'ís believe that God expresses this will at all times and in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as [[Manifestation of God|Manifestations of God]] or sometimes follow the leader.<ref name="eor">{{cite encyclopedia |
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| ⚫ | The God of [[Israel]], according to the Jews, was known by two principal names. One is YHWH, known as the [[Tetragrammaton]]. This name is sometimes vocalized theoretically by scholars as [[Yahweh]], and for [[tabuistic]] reasons is replaced with [[Adonai]] "LORD" in liturgy and in many [[English translations of the Bible]]. The other commonly used name in the Bible, [[Elohim]], is related to the [[Northwest Semitic]] generic term for "god", [[El (god)|El]], though plural forms of [[El]], such as ''elim'' and the diminutive ''elilim'', are found in the Bible, and is cognate with the [[Arabic]] Allah and the [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] Elah. See also [[Names of God in Judaism]]. |
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| ⚫ | | last = Hutter | first = Manfred | editor = Ed. Lindsay Jones | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Religion | title = Bahā'īs | edition = 2nd ed. | year = 2005 | publisher = Macmillan Reference USA | volume = 2 | location = Detroit | id = ISBN 0028657330 | pages = 737–740}}</ref> In expressing God's intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world. Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, nor to create a complete and accurate image.<ref name="manifestation">{{cite journal | first = Juan | last = Cole | title = The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings| year = 1982 | journal = Bahá'í Studies | volume = monograph 9 | pages = pp. 1–38 | url = http://bahai-library.org/articles/manifestation.html}}</ref> [[Bahá'u'lláh]] often refers to God by titles (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving). Bahá'ís believe that this [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] description of God amounts to Bahá'u'lláh, in his capacity as God's manifestation, [[abstraction|abstracting]] him in language that human beings can comprehend, since direct knowledge of the essence of God is believed impossible.<ref name="manifestation" /> |
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==Christianity== |
==Christianity== |
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Islam teaches that its god is the same god worshiped by the members of other [[Abrahamic religion]]s such as [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] ({{cite quran|29|46|style=nosup|expand=no}}).<ref name="Peters1"> F.E. Peters, ''Islam'', p.4, Princeton University Press, 2003</ref> This is not universally accepted by non-Muslims. |
Islam teaches that its god is the same god worshiped by the members of other [[Abrahamic religion]]s such as [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] ({{cite quran|29|46|style=nosup|expand=no}}).<ref name="Peters1"> F.E. Peters, ''Islam'', p.4, Princeton University Press, 2003</ref> This is not universally accepted by non-Muslims. |
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==Judaism== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The God of [[Israel]], according to the Jews, was known by two principal names. One is YHWH, known as the [[Tetragrammaton]]. This name is sometimes vocalized theoretically by scholars as [[Yahweh]], and for [[tabuistic]] reasons is replaced with [[Adonai]] "LORD" in liturgy and in many [[English translations of the Bible]]. The other commonly used name in the Bible, [[Elohim]], is related to the [[Northwest Semitic]] generic term for "god", [[El (god)|El]], though plural forms of [[El]], such as ''elim'' and the diminutive ''elilim'', are found in the Bible, and is cognate with the [[Arabic]] Allah and the [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] Elah. See also [[Names of God in Judaism]]. |
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==Bahá'í faith== |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'ís]] believe in a [[Monotheism|single]], imperishable [[Deity|god]], the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe.<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia | year = 1988 | title = The Bahá'í Faith | encyclopedia = Britannica Book of the Year | publisher = Encyclopaedia Britannica | location = Chicago | id = ISBN 0852294867}}</ref> God is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, [[omniscience|omniscient]], [[omnipresence|omnipresent]] and [[omnipotence|almighty]]." <ref>{{cite book|first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink=Shoghi Effendi |year=1944 |title=God Passes By |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |
||
| ⚫ | |isbn=0877430209 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-9.html#gr26 | page= 139}}</ref> Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of the events in this world, with a mind, will and purpose. Bahá'ís believe that God expresses this will at all times and in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as [[Manifestation of God|Manifestations of God]] or sometimes follow the leader.<ref name="eor">{{cite encyclopedia |
||
| ⚫ | | last = Hutter | first = Manfred | editor = Ed. Lindsay Jones | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Religion | title = Bahā'īs | edition = 2nd ed. | year = 2005 | publisher = Macmillan Reference USA | volume = 2 | location = Detroit | id = ISBN 0028657330 | pages = 737–740}}</ref> In expressing God's intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world. Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, nor to create a complete and accurate image.<ref name="manifestation">{{cite journal | first = Juan | last = Cole | title = The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings| year = 1982 | journal = Bahá'í Studies | volume = monograph 9 | pages = pp. 1–38 | url = http://bahai-library.org/articles/manifestation.html}}</ref> [[Bahá'u'lláh]] often refers to God by titles (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving). Bahá'ís believe that this [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] description of God amounts to Bahá'u'lláh, in his capacity as God's manifestation, [[abstraction|abstracting]] him in language that human beings can comprehend, since direct knowledge of the essence of God is believed impossible.<ref name="manifestation" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 22:09, 13 December 2009
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Judaism, Christianity, and Islam see God as the eternal being who created the universe and all there is. God is usually held to have the properties of holiness (separate from sin and incorruptible), justice (fair, right, and true in all his judgments), sovereignty (unthwartable in his will), omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), omni-benevolence (all-loving), omnipresence (present everywhere at the same time), and immortality (eternal and everlasting). He is also believed to be transcendent, meaning that he is outside space and outside time, and therefore eternal and unable to be changed by earthly forces or anything else within his creation.
In Judaism, Islam and Christianity, God is understood to be a personal god, with a will and personality.
Judaism
The conception of God in Judaism is monotheistic, evolving out of the polytheistic religion of the Semites. It cannot be stated when exactly the Israelites moved from their original polytheism to a monotheistic religion.
The God of Israel, according to the Jews, was known by two principal names. One is YHWH, known as the Tetragrammaton. This name is sometimes vocalized theoretically by scholars as Yahweh, and for tabuistic reasons is replaced with Adonai "LORD" in liturgy and in many English translations of the Bible. The other commonly used name in the Bible, Elohim, is related to the Northwest Semitic generic term for "god", El, though plural forms of El, such as elim and the diminutive elilim, are found in the Bible, and is cognate with the Arabic Allah and the Aramaic Elah. See also Names of God in Judaism.
Christianity
In Christianity, it remains essential that God be personal; hence it speaks of the three persons of the Trinity. It also emphasizes that God has a will, and that God the Son has two wills, divine and human, though these are never in conflict, see also Hypostatic union. However, this point is disputed by Oriental Orthodox Christians, who hold that God the Son has only one will of unified divinity and humanity (see Miaphysitism). The personhood of God and of all human people is essential to the concept of theosis or deification.
Latter Day Saint Movement
In the Latter Day Saint movement, God the Father and God the Son are considered personal beings who have separate tangible exalted bodies and one purpose given that they are each omniscient, omnipotent, and omni-benevolent. LDS teachings include that God the Father is the literal father of the spirits of all of mankind, that he loves each of his children unconditionally, and that he desires that they progress in their own ability to love, to experience joy and faith, and to learn the truths that govern the universe. He is the center of LDS worship. The mainstream LDS teaching is that God the Father does much of his "work" through God the Son, who is Jesus Christ, and that this delegation and divine investiture of authority occurred during what is described as the pre-existence (pre-mortal life) when all the spirit children of God lived in his presence. It includes the belief that both God the Father and Jesus Christ were involved in the creation (from existing matter or energy) of this earth and other similar earths and many of the stars and planets in the known universe. It also includes the belief that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was the Jehovah of the Old Testament. This teaching is prevalent in the Book of Mormon. The LDS belief is that Abraham received revelation from Jehovah, including the Abrahamic covenant and the Abrahamic test to see if he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac in similitude of the sacrifice God the Father would offer to mankind through the willing offering of his son, Jesus Christ to carry out the infinite atonement. The belief includes Abraham's faith in the promise of resurrection for Isaac, as stated by the Apostle Paul in KJV Hebrews 11:17-19.
Islam
In Islam, God is believed to be the only real supreme being, all-powerful and all knowing Creator, Sustainer, Ordainer, and Judge of the universe[1][2] Islam puts a heavy emphasis on the conceptualization of God as strictly singular (tawhid).[3] He is unique (wahid) and inherently one (ahad), all-merciful and omnipotent.[4] According to the Qur'an there are 99 Names of God (al-asma al-husna lit. meaning: "The best names") each of which evoke a distinct characteristic of God.[5][6] All these names refer to Allah, the supreme and all-comprehensive divine name.[7] Among the 99 names of God, the most famous and most frequent of these names are "the Merciful" (al-rahman) and "the Compassionate" (al-rahim).[5][6]
Creation and ordering of the universe is seen as an act of prime mercy for which all creatures sing his glories and bear witness to his unity and lordship. According to the Islamic teachings, God is present everywhere without having incarnated in anything.[8] According to the Qur'an, "No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things" (Qur'an 6:103)[2]
God in Islam is not only majestic and sovereign, but also a personal god: According to the Qur'an, he is nearer to person than person's jugular vein. He responds to those in need or distress whenever they call him. Above all, he guides humanity to the right way, the "straight path".[8]
Islam teaches that its god is the same god worshiped by the members of other Abrahamic religions such as Christianity and Judaism (29:46).[9] This is not universally accepted by non-Muslims.
Bahá'í faith
Bahá'ís believe in a single, imperishable god, the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe.[10] God is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent and almighty." [11] Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of the events in this world, with a mind, will and purpose. Bahá'ís believe that God expresses this will at all times and in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as Manifestations of God or sometimes follow the leader.[12] In expressing God's intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world. Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, nor to create a complete and accurate image.[13] Bahá'u'lláh often refers to God by titles (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving). Bahá'ís believe that this anthropomorphic description of God amounts to Bahá'u'lláh, in his capacity as God's manifestation, abstracting him in language that human beings can comprehend, since direct knowledge of the essence of God is believed impossible.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Gerhard Böwering, God and his Attributes, Encyclopedia of the Quran
- ^ a b John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford University Press, 1998, p.22
- ^ John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, Oxford University Press, 1998, p.88
- ^ "Allah." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ a b Bentley, David (1999). The 99 Beautiful Names for God for All the People of the Book. William Carey Library. ISBN 0-87808-299-9.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa, Allah
- ^ Annemarie Schimmel,The Tao of Islam: A Sourcebook on Gender Relationships in Islamic, SUNY Press, p.206
- ^ a b Britannica Encyclopedia, Islam, p. 3
- ^ F.E. Peters, Islam, p.4, Princeton University Press, 2003
- ^ "The Bahá'í Faith". Britannica Book of the Year. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1988. ISBN 0852294867.
- ^ Effendi, Shoghi (1944). God Passes By. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. p. 139. ISBN 0877430209.
- ^ Hutter, Manfred (2005). "Bahā'īs". In Ed. Lindsay Jones (ed.). Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 2 (2nd ed. ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA. pp. 737–740. ISBN 0028657330.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ a b Cole, Juan (1982). "The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings". Bahá'í Studies. monograph 9: pp. 1–38.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help)